Huperzine-A Dietary Supplement for Mental Functioning

Huperzine-A is a natural alkaloid extract of Huperzia serrata, a Chinese plant. It has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine for treating senile dementia. You can now enjoy its benefits in a supplement form with vegetarian capsules, available to buy in Supersmart's online catalogue.

What is Huperzine-A?

Just like certain drugs, huperzine-A inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase which breaks down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for optimal cognitive function. The amount of acetylcholine available in the brain is therefore greater. Unlike drugs, huperzine-A:

• Does not create dependency and is therefore suitable for long-term use.
• It has longer-lasting action.
• Is absorbed faster.
• Crosses the blood-brain barrier quickly.
• Has few or no side-effects.
• Does not produce liver toxicity.

What are the benefits of Huperzine-A supplementation?

Huperzine-A's unique properties make it a potential treatment for many age-related cognitive deficits, now available in vegetarian capsules. Healthy individuals may buy this supplement for preventive purposes, choosing to take a reduced dose or to improve their cognitive performance. Huperzine was isolated for the first time in 1948 by Chinese scientists.

• The majority of clinical studies have been conducted in China where huperzine now has drug status and is used to treat Alzheimer's disease and other age-related memory disorders.
• In the United States, researchers from the University of Georgetown announced a new clinical trial in June 2006, involving 150 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, to test the efficacy of huperzine-A. Taking huperzine-A leads to significant improvements in memory, concentration and learning capacity.
• Research has also shown that huperzine-A substantially reduced abnormally high radical activity both in the brains of elderly animals as well as in the blood of Alzheimer's patients.
• In monkeys, it reversed scopolamine-induced amnesia suggesting that it may have benefits for cognitive problems of Alzheimer's patients or those with other cognitive disorders.